President Abdul Hamid on Wednesday urged all concerned to work together to ensure the empowerment of people through proper implementation of the Right to Information Act.
‘Free flow of information is a driving force of democracy and good governance. There’s a direct link between socio-economic development and free flow of information. The level of development is high in a country where availability of information is ensured,’ he said.
The president said this while addressing a programme marking the International Right to Information Day organised by Information Commission at Osmani Memorial Hall in the capital.
Abdul Hamid said, ‘There’s a connection between corruption and underdevelopment. The optimum use of information for public welfare gradually decreases the degree of corruption in society, politics, economics and state-machinery. As a result, it is the common people who get the benefit of it.’
Observing that knowing and not knowing information is like light and dark, he said light shows people the way of wellbeing and good. Similarly, the president said, information shows people the path to establish their rights and remove corruption and abominable practices from society.
The president went on saying, ‘… darkness takes people to the ominous path and insufficiency of information spread corruption in society. So, I urge all concerned, including government officials and employees, mass media workers, civil society members and intellectuals concerned, to make concerted efforts to ensure empowerment of people through proper implementation of Right to Information Act.’
There are many challenges in implementing Right to Information Act, observed the president adding ‘We’ll have to face those challenges for the welfare of the country and its people.’
He also said, ‘No one gives others their rights, it has to be realised. So people will have to be active to realise their right in getting information. Establishing rights make people responsible and dutiful.’
Information minister Hasanul Haq Inu, chief information commissioner Prof M Golam Rahman, information secretary Martuza Ahmed, information commissioners- Nepal Chandra Sarker and Prof Khurshida Begum Sayeed and RTI Forum convener Shaheen Anam spoke on the occasion.